Should we Buy an Annuity Now?

JohnWinder

There must be some uncertainty about any prediction about interest rates changing/staying the same, so I can’t see how there can’t be some reaction when the expected happens.
You could wait, and the pundits could be wrong again. https://www.napa-net.org/news-info/daily-news/economists-100-dead-wrong
The longer you wait, the more monthly payments you forgo. It’s an impossible decision to think you can get the best return out of by deliberation. You need to base your decision on other relevant issues: do you need one; could you get several, several years apart; should you use different providers, and on the list goes.

michaels

Generally trying to 'time the market' is akin to gambling and frowned upon on this board.

I think the key question is whether an annuity and if so what form is the best use of your DC pot for you.  Mentioned are whether the income profile it creates is what suits your spend needs best and the IHT consequences of 'spending' a DC pension pot whilst potentially looking to pass on other assets with less favourable IHT treatment.

Any question on timing is second order/gambling